Well, the Archbishop of Canterbury finally decided what to do with the Bishop of New Hampshire, V. Gene Robinson, at the upcoming, every ten year Lambeth Conference. While still not fully invited and subsequently not being allowed to sit-in as an observer or participate in studying of Holy Scripture with other Anglican Bishops, the Archbishop of Canterbury has decided that Bishop Robinson should best be placed at market like some fat pig, a piece of jewelry or a slave of a shameful past.
          In a report yesterday to the House of Bishops, three Episcopal Bishops who have been working with Canterbury to find some commonplace, shared that, according to the Archbishop of Canterbury and his office, “the location best suited [for Bishop Robinson] . . . is the Marketplace where he could be hosted by one of the groups.”
          Needless to say and rightly so, Bishop Robinson has refused the offer as a “non-offer” indicating that being available to the secular world is not what is needed. To paraphrase the Bishop, what he and many of us want for him is simply a place at the table with fellow Christians to share and spread the Gospel.
          To say the actions of the Archbishop of Canterbury are appalling would be an understatement. The Archbishop has insulted the Episcopal Church in refusing to invite a duly elected, confirmed by General Convention and consecrated Bishop of the Church. The Archbishop has insulted Bishop Robinson in a very demeaning “token display” by equating his role as anyone in the secular world. Bishop Robinson is not some freak meant to be gawked at and displayed for the entire world to look at. The Archbishop has insulted the Anglican Communion for refusing to abide by its desire to listen to the voices of gays and lesbians in the Church and instead only gives lip service. Once again, the “so-called voices” will be silenced. The Archbishop has insulted gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transsexuals by subjecting them to second class status. Finally, and most importantly, the Archbishop has insulted our living, loving and ever-embracing Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ. By ignoring Christ’s mandate of loving our neighbor as we love ourselves and forgetting the basic tenant of Christianity that in the Church “there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28),” the Archbishop has committed a most grievous sin.
          Of course, Bishop Robinson has taken the high ground and has requested that his fellow Bishops in the Episcopal Church attend the Lambeth Conference in order to speak for those who have no voices. Although I am unsure whether this strategy is the best one at the time or whether a wholesale boycott of Lambeth is in order, I admire Bishop Robinson’s desire to live fully into the Gospel which the Archbishop of Canterbury seems to be forgetting.
          My prayers remain with Bishop Robinson, his partner, Mark, his family, and the people of New Hampshire as they continue to be denied their rights in the Church. My prayers remain with the Archbishop of Canterbury for him to repent and return to the Lord. It isn’t too late for him to repent! Finally, my prayers remain with all those who, through the actions of the Archbishop and his surrogates, continue to feel pain. Yes, we live in the “all ready and the not yet” and God’s realm is not yet fully realized; however, when will enough be enough?
Copyright © 2008 The Very Rev. Christopher D. Hofer 

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